Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
